In the world of football, two giants, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, have set achievements that seem unattainable for any other player.
Their dominance has made it incredibly challenging for any other player to lay claim to the title of the world’s best for over a decade.
Ronaldo’s move from Manchester United to Real Madrid set the stage for a riveting rivalry with Messi at Barcelona.
Speaking to Football365, former Liverpool star Jamie Carragher unveiled Messi’s fierce drive to outperform Ronaldo in prestigious awards.
“While Ronaldo is often seen as self-centered, Messi was equally hungry for accolades like the Ballon d’Or and the desire to surpass Ronaldo,” Carragher revealed.
The world of football now sees fans rallying behind individual players rather than just clubs, evident in the astronomical social media followings of players, particularly the two icons.
“When players join a new club, their social media impact soars, leading to a surge in merchandise sales. During his time at Manchester United, Ronaldo’s influence even overshadowed the club in certain aspects,” Carragher noted.